How to Solo: Mage Knight (Setup for First Reconnaissance)

[@mikew735]

Appreciate this vid, trying to learn how to play solo, sometimes its hard to even understabd where to start, this really helped alot.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

I hope you love the game because there's an expansion coming! >:)

[@lilianempls]

Thank you ahead of time for this series.

[@rodjude6780]

Thanks Liz, it’s Friday morning in Sydney, I’m going to complete a tutorial marathon after I finish work today.

[@bossfan20000]

Can’t wait to watch this series! This will finally encourage me to attempt my first play (as I’ve always found your videos to be easy to follow)

[@WereNotWizards]

Oh my days. Can't wait to watch this series.

[@johnunderwood4953]

Thanks, Liz! This intro was very helpful. The explanation you gave for map orientation cleared up a misunderstanding I had about the map.

[@yairgallagher]

Hi Liz, here a solo gamer from Chile. Thanks for your amazing work. This is by far my #1 of all times followed by TMB. You are the best, cheers!!!

[@hlorridirudel9627]

True! But HEXplore it is worth it too;)

[@yairgallagher]

@@hlorridirudel9627 I DO need to try that one, it seems that in terms of exploration is amazing, but in practice how good is the combat system?

[@flagshipathletics8323]

Thanks for this awesome video! I am brand new to mage knight and wanted to try it solo before introducing my friends and you do a great job covering what is needed to get going and prioritizing the order of operations.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

Have fun playing the best solo game of all time! :)

[@peterfadness464]

Thank you Liz! I came here after watching some videos on Ricky Royal's channel as he recommended you. I'm totally new to solo gaming and because I'm an overachiever, I went with Mage Knight (also 'cuz I love the whole aesthetic). I'm in my 50s and just getting into this kind of board gaming and I can feel the rusty gears in my brain start to turn as I work on figuring out the rules. I'm happy to say I did already have this set up correctly, but I'm a stickler for getting things "right" so I wanted to watch your video which was very well done. I'm going to watch the others as I play through the reconnaissance scenario. So excited to get into solo gaming as there looks to be so many awesome games.

[@Mr.Bassman]

I've ordered this game and then watched a video calling it the most complicated solo board game. I am glad to see there is a solid runthrough of the setup and game itself. Thank you for making these!

[@coledelahooke809]

Liz, I have this coming in on Friday to play for the first time, this series is perfect!

[@MadLadDesigns]

Thanks for tackling this. I've had it on my shelf for a few years but haven't played it yet. :)

[@HoundCaveProduction]

Just found that KZbin stopped telling me that you were releasing vids months ago! Glad to see this playthrough, and that I have vids to catch up on.

[@gregryerson5808]

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for making this video! The rule book and walkthrough guide were making my head spin, but you made everything so clear and helpful!

[@Villikissa06]

Thank you! This is such a clear video, very helpful for someone like me, about to start my first game.

[@kitcarpo4745]

Thanks Liz, this game has been off my radar as I primarily prefer scifi themed games. Because so so so many people ranked this one high on their assorted lists I decided to look into it. While this was just a set up, I could see the start of what are the many mechanisms in the game. I am going to check out the rest of your videos on this game...the last one I will revisit the comments on... :)

[@BeyondSolitaire]

I hope it strikes your interest! Also there is a Star Trek version, which I have not played, but I assume you can get the glory of MK in a science fiction setting. :D

[@LukeDavisWarhammer]

This was really great and helpful!

[@andrewpratt2733]

Hi thanks very much for doing this video and I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the series… Your set of instructions are very clear and more structured than other similar videos. Keep up the good work.

[@apollonia6656]

Bought this game when it first came out but haven't played it because the rules confused me ! So, have to make some space and get started... along with your video tutorial at hand. Hope it is as good a solo as the hype surrounding it .

[@worri3db3ar]

Bought this a year or so ago after seeing a review but then kinda saw the rulebook and left it in my cupboard. Since we in lock down now I guess I should learn the game and use your videos to play it :p

[@tobyknotts915]

Excellent... looking forward to this!

[@peartreestudios2619]

im just considering buying mage knight and I started watching your channel two days ago. coincidence!

[@will5538]

Thanks for this series. Time to get this game on the table again. Forgot most of the rules after a few years. BTW I have a very similar looking table!

[@fredcharles4597]

Great video! Thanks for posting! It was super helpful in getting set up!

[@davidlove236]

Every time you, Jason from ENGN, or anyone talks about this game, they love it, though the descriptions of gameplay do not sound appealing (sitting for 20 minutes planning out the optimal turn?!). I look forward to this series to see what the game looks like. It’s an into game, so it won’t have all the complexities that are possible, but it will still give me a better idea of how Mage Knight plays.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

Honestly I don't play that slow-I'd rather have fun than sweat over whether I'm playing a perfect game. ;)

[@davidlove236]

Beyond Solitaire That’s refreshing to hear. :) I play games to relax; there’s enough stress in my life. I liked the breezy tone of Day1 as well (I just finished it).

[@Neighter]

Also game is perfectly playable "out of box" - with keeping actual decks, crystals, skills and monsters in box organizer. And and any cards you don't use you can just stack behind wound deck. So you just place advanced actions, units and monsters out of box, which allows to save some space. Also i keep hero decks and their tokens in zip-locks, so you have everything ready for a game.

[@mzbatman]

Hey Liz, love your videos. How many wound cards do I need to put out for solo games only? Thanks

[@Deltium5683]

very helpful

[@mkrool]

its been a while since ive seen anyone do a playthrough of this watch out ricky royal lol

[@bahasainggeris7884]

Thanks Liz!! Now I just need to buy the game. LOL

[@viperfrag]

Hi, where in the rulebook does it state to remove Advanced Actions 17-28 (older edition). When playing solo, I have always removed Spells 17-20 but have always played with all Advanced Actions.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

viperfrag It’s in the walkthrough and not the main rulebook. (Also true in Ultimate Edition as I discovered when filming this!)

[@viperfrag]

Nevermind! I found it in the Game Walkthrough book: "Please note that some Advanced Actions will not be used in the 1st scenario. You should only use cards numbered 1 through 16 for this 1st game; cards 17 through 28 should be removed from the deck and returned to the box. Shuffle the cards you are using and create a face down pile. In other scenarios you will be using all of the Advanced Action cards."

[@viperfrag]

That's why I hate the rulebooks! I wish Wizkids had made a complete overhaul of the rulebooks.

[@viperfrag]

Oh, and great job, BTW!

[@lotterwinner6474]

In the rules of ultimate edition there are multiple scenarios. Can all these scenarios be played solo using a dummy player?

[@Rookblunder]

I'm just setting up my first solo game tonight. I've noticed a lot of orc tokens. Do we use all of them at the first solo run or are there levels that need to be removed ?

[@heyman458]

Great video! One minor correction, rampaging orcs and draconums are always face up. Locals want them gone so you will always know what you are dealing with. Can't wait to see the rest of the series.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

Did I say they weren't somewhere?! I'll check soon, right now I am editing the first night round and that, at least, is not screwed up. Although I'm sure something is, lol.

[@sharxboy]

Excited to try this out! Waaaahh, noooo!!!! must line up the fame tracker and camera with the lines in the table.....mumbles to self in corner for an hour Thanks for the video!!!

[@BeyondSolitaire]

You'll be pleased to know that shortly after this I bought a neoprene playmat to film on. :D

[@BleepingRelics]

Why does this needs a dummy player ? Makes everything more convoluted. Is it mandatory for solo mechanics ?

[@BeyondSolitaire]

As with everything, the answer is yes and no. ;) The dummy player exists as a timer to push you a little bit in the game. If you play with the Lost Legion expansion, then you control Volkare instead, who acts as an actual opponent, which might be more intuitive for you. Also, to be honest, I'm a believer that you should play in a way that feels fun for you, even if it's "wrong." If you want to stick to a day/night limit but ignore the dummy player... who's stopping you? It's your solo game time, I say do what you want!

[@BleepingRelics]

@@BeyondSolitaire I don't know what is best for me yet though. I just installed the game, after hours of depunching and sorting decks, seeing all that stuff on my table. Asking to myself "what am i doing with my life ?! Look at all this stuff" while knowing in the same time it's surely an awesome game... The walkthrough guide is kind of a mixed bag, it feels "untested". Sometimes it's very clear and sometimes it isn't. Like Solo rules aren't well explained in a straightforward way. They don't tell where they are... I am all for some home rules-tweaking but i will make sure i understand the intended mechanics first. Thanks for your answer ;)

[@BeyondSolitaire]

BTW in this situation, I recommend just playing around with solo First Recon, with no pressure, and ignoring the dummy player for your first game. It'll always be there next time! Also, make sure you use the walkthrough guide, not the rulebook, for that first recon scenario, because the walkthrough does a better job of explaining most things you will encounter!

[@ericcampbell9553]

Nice job lady